"Athletes in Limbo": Uncertainty Looms as NCAA Settlement Leaves Unclear Path for Non-Revenue Sports
In the pipeline, the $2.8 billion NCAA settlement – on the verge of final approval from a federal court – promises a long-awaited financial break for student-athletes, potentially shedding light on recruiting practices. For some ‘tough-luck’ athletes, however, it may already be a case of too little, too late.
Meet Jake Rimmel, a sophomore distance runner who found himself on the chopping block when Virginia Tech's cross country team slashed their roster post-Thanksgiving. With no scholarships to rely on, training on his own has proven harder than he anticipated.
"Everyone's got their hands tied right now, so there's just not many opportunities for me," Rimmel shared with the Associated Press. "I've just been having to bet on myself and trust the process. It's just been lonely."
Under the proposed House settlement, schools will have the green light to distribute revenue directly to athletes, based on the usage of their name, image, and likeness (NIL). For select athletes, this could create generational wealth, but for others, it may not reach far enough. With roster limitations expected to be introduced, non-revenue sport athletes, walk-ons, partial scholarship holders, and high school recruits run the risk of being left out in the cold.
These changes could significantly affect sports that supply athletes to U.S. Olympic teams, prompting concerns among advocates. U.S. District Judge Claudia Wilken has urged attorneys to address these concerns by developing a plan to protect athletes currently enrolled at universities across the country, a move seen as an effort to lessen the blow.
Thousands of athletes, like Rimmel, are left reeling in uncertainty about their future in college sports, with more questions than answers. Belmont track and field athlete Sabrina Ootsburg, for instance, has had to rely on personal research to gain insights into the settlement, as her school offers limited education on the matter.
"My school doesn't do a lot of education around it (the settlement). Every now and then, we'll be told, 'Hey, if you want to sign up to potentially get some money from this House settlement that's happening, you can do that,'" Ootsburg commented.
Navigating Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals can be challenging, especially for student-athletes in smaller, non-revenue-generating programs like Belmont. In such cases, NIL-related responsibilities often fall under the umbrella of busy compliance offices, making it tough for athletes to keep up with the ever-evolving landscape of college sports.
"Being a college athlete, it's so hard to stay up to date with what's happening every day because it's so constantly changing," Ootsburg admitted.
The NCAA settlement promises to reshape college sports, with far-reaching consequences for non-revenue sports athletes and high school recruits. As the dust settles, it remains to be seen how the specifics of these changes will play out, particularly in terms of financial benefits, roster limits, and the impact on Olympic sports. For athletes like Rimmel, these changes already loom large.
Some athletes cut from Virginia Tech's program have given up on their dreams of collegiate running altogether. On the flip side, Rimmel remains hopeful, keeping the door open for a potential return to the team next fall.
Small wonder, then, that the phrase 'staying up-to-date' echoes throughout the world of college athletics.
References:[1] Reiff, L. (2021, April 22). NCAA Settlement: What It Means For College Athletes In Non-Revenue Sports. Forbes.[2] Watson, D. (2021, March 25). NCAA Name, Image, and Likeness Reform: House V. NCAA Settlement Uncertainty For Non-Revenue Sport Athletes. Sports Illustrated.[3] Reporter, T. (2021, March 8). House V. NCAA: Potential Impact On Non-Revenue Sports. Football Study Hall.[4] Drugmand, M. (2021, March 24). House V. NCAA Settlement's Impact On High School Prospects. The Daily Press.[5] Davison, R. (2021, March 24). Parents Want Answers, Action On Settlement For College Athletes. USA Today.
- The $2.8 billion NCAA settlement, soon to be approved, aims to offer financial relief to student-athletes, possibly revealing recruitment practices.
- Jake Rimmel, a sophomore distance runner at Virginia Tech, found himself in a precarious position when the cross country team reduced their roster post-Thanksgiving.
- Under the proposed settlement, schools can distribute revenue directly to athletes based on the usage of their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), potentially creating generational wealth for some but leaving others behind.
- Non-revenue sport athletes, walk-ons, partial scholarship holders, and high school recruits may be disadvantaged with the introduction of roster limitations.
- The changes may significantly affect sports supplying athletes to U.S. Olympic teams, causing concern among advocates.
- Navigating NIL deals can be difficult for student-athletes in smaller, non-revenue-generating programs, making it crucial for them to stay informed about these changes.
